Bulgaria needs to develop a new national migration strategy, said Economy Minister Petko Nikolov at a Sofia forum on refugees' contribution to the host country, reports the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

According to Nikolov, the new strategy should take a closer look at the economic integration of refugees and forcibly displaced persons.

Bulgaria aims to ensure access to its labour market and to include this vulnerable group in the economy, Minister Nikolov said. He referred to data from Bulgaria’s Employment Agency, released in October, according to which businesses will need around 260, 000 workers over the next 12 months. He also cited data from the National Statistical Institute, according to which labour shortage in industry is above 30%.

The Minister stressed that more private sector involvement in this process could be considered. Our policy is sustainable and consistent because it is the position and policy of the whole democratic world, Nikolov said.

The forum, held at the Vrana Royal Palace, is organized by PanEuropa Bulgaria, UNHCR Bulgaria in Bulgaria and the Liberal Institute for Political Analyses (LIPA).

According to the organizers, after the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, more than 193,000 people received temporary protection in Bulgaria. As an external border of the European Union (EU), Bulgaria plays a crucial role in the protection of refugees and receives displaced persons not only from Ukraine but also from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. However, Bulgaria remains one of the few EU countries without a national integration policy. This event aims to highlight the importance of inclusive policies that enable refugees to fully exercise their rights and actively contribute to the communities that host them. Genuine integration takes place within the community, fostering mutual development and resilience that enrich both refugees and their host societies, said the organizers.

The forum includes discussions on refugee stories for host communities and participants will share personal stories of achievement, resilience and positive impact on community development. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, UNHCR Representative for Bulgaria Seda Kuzucu, the deputy ministers of education and of labour and Social Policy, filmmakers, writers, business leaders are expected to speak at the event.